What is Aftercare? Who Needs Aftercare?
Have you gone through the steps of detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation, and outpatient services but are looking for more long-term treatment? You may want to consider an aftercare plan for when the initial treatment is over with.
You can create an aftercare plan with your addiction counselor that best fits your needs. Maybe that entails sober living, or extended outpatient treatment. Maybe the aftercare plans involve weekly support group meetings, counseling, or 12 step programs.
Who needs aftercare? Aftercare services benefit anyone who wants to extend their treatment plan and receive more support to stay in recovery. The longer you stay in recovery, the lesser the chance is for relapse.
Why Aftercare Planning is Important
What is aftercare treatment? Drug rehab aftercare is a follow up treatment you receive after being in inpatient care for drug or alcohol abuse.
Aftercare treatment is important because it can help you prevent relapse and keep you focused on sobriety. These programs typically involve rehab aftercare group or individual counseling, 12 step programs, support groups, and sober living.
Committing to drug rehab aftercare decreases your chances of relapsing and having to start the process of detox over again. It’s also important because it helps you build new coping skills and learn how to involve your family into your recovery in a healthy way.
According to American Addiction Centers, at least half of all individuals who enter rehab programs will relapse so having an aftercare plan benefits your recovery process.
What Happens After Rehab
Maintaining sobriety after rehab can be a slippery slope, but the best way to stay in recovery is by creating an aftercare plan with your addiction counselor and figuring out what rehab aftercare plan best fits your individual needs.
Other types of long-term treatment after treatment may include dual diagnosis support, cognitive behavioral therapy, booster sessions, emotion regulation support, pharmaceutical treatment, and sober living.
An example of an aftercare rehab program would be alcohol rehab aftercare. Alcohol rehab aftercare is so important in maintaining sobriety because leaving treatment can be hard to combat in the early stages of recovery. Extra support during these times is key for getting back to a normal life without drug addiction.
What happens after rehab? These are some tips to consider after rehab according to Alcohol Rehab Guide.
- Finding Living Arrangements
- Establishing a Healthy Daily Routine
- Looking for Local Support Groups
- Arranging Meet Ups with Sober Friends
- Keeping a Distance from Potential Triggers
- Learning when to ask for Help
What is Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention uses a variety of strategies that help reduce the possibility or relapse while an individual is working on their sobriety. Some of the strategies sued are cognitive behavioral therapy and building healthy coping mechanisms.
According to the Addiction Group, there are three types of relapses. The first type of relapse is emotional relapse where you are feeling different emotions that can contribute to relapse. The second type of relapse is mental relapse and during this time you may be battling with thoughts of using again and may be hanging around the people you used to use with. The third and final relapse is physical relapse where you give in to the urges and use again.
Your relapse prevention plan should involve the following:
- Your triggers
- Techniques for managing said triggers
- Preventative tools
- Available support groups
- Lifestyle changes you should make
When considering an aftercare rehab program and prevention plan you should have records of your substance abuse while also creating a list of warning signs that may lead you to relapse and establishing a plan of action for each warning sign or trigger.
How to Plan for the Future
Planning for the future and creating goals are a great way to continue recovery. This process of planning will involve you being open about your addiction triggers and what makes you want to use.
Self-care is also important when planning for your future, you can do this by eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising which will boost the immune system which is beneficial after long term drug use.
Being emotionally aware of how you are feeling is also beneficial, this is where you can identify triggers and manage them appropriately. Practicing mindfulness by meditating, breathing techniques, yoga, and light exercise are some good tips when planning your future and staying sober.
While planning your future and your aftercare plan, consider keeping in close contact with your addiction counselor as well as changing goals and adding new ones when necessary. The longer you stay in treatment, the less likely it will be that you relapse.
Types of Treatment for Post Rehab
There are many types of treatment programs for post rehab individuals. After considering what your aftercare plan is, you can go from there and research what treatment program is best for you.
If you are in recovery from alcohol and are looking for alcohol rehab aftercare, here are two great options for alcohol treatment aftercare services:
- Home – Safe Haven Recovery | Beverly Hills, CA (safehavenbh.com)
- Rehab Aftercare in Texas | Makana Path
If you have previously struggled with addiction of cocaine and have gone through treatment but want post rehab services here are some links for cocaine rehab aftercare programs:
- Cocaine Addiction Rehab | Louisiana | Acadiana Treatment Center
- Cocaine Addiction Treatment – Rehab for Coke – Northpoint Colorado
- Florida Rehab Aftercare Program | Jacksonville FL | Drug Rehab FL (lakeviewhealth.com)
Need post rehab aftercare for sedative addiction such as benzodiazepines or other downer drugs? Here is one link for aftercare treatment services for sedative drugs:
- Benzo Addiction Treatment | Women’s Drug Rehab in California (soledadhouse.com)
Aftercare Facilities Around You
Developing an aftercare treatment plan is a great and healthy way to manage your sobriety. Aftercare support at rehab centers allow you to maintain your recovery in positive ways that can impact your life and allow you to live a “normal” life again.
Are you or someone you love looking for an aftercare treatment plan for opioid, alcohol, or another drug addiction? Below are some great aftercare treatment programs in the United States that include support groups, sober living, counseling, and more.
- INTER-CARE – New York’s Substance Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Facility
- Aftercare Program | LA Detox | Los Angeles, California
- Austin Drug Rehab | Texas Alcohol Treatment Center: Infinite Recovery
- After Care Clinic at Harborview | UW Medicine
If you or a loved one is seeking information on addiction or mental health resources please call (888) 564-4780.